The lifespan of your roof can be an easy home improvement project to forget, especially if you’ve lived in your home for a while. However, because your roof does so much to protect your home from the environment, you need to prioritize its upkeep. But when do you have to start seriously considering the lifespan of your roof?
Perhaps the most important factors that determine your roof’s longevity are the type of shingles used, the area where you live, and your roof maintenance routine. In this post, we’ll focus on an asphalt roof lifespan in Georgia as these three factors impact it. Georgia asphalt roofs are relevant to discuss because asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material used in the U.S. Also, the Georgia climate dramatically affects the lifespan of shingles.
Asphalt Shingle Quality
The most important determining factor for your roof’s lifespan is the construction of your shingles. When it comes to asphalt shingles–the most common roofing material used in the United States–you need to prioritize quality. Although the commonly used 3-Tab asphalt shingles are affordable, the flimsy construction gives them a very short lifespan. That is why we only suggest installing architectural shingles for a new roof. Built from layers of fiberglass and asphalt, architectural shingles have great longevity. But exactly how long do architectural shingles last? Even in a Georgia climate, you can expect 20-30 years from your asphalt roof.
Georgia Climate
If you live in the southeastern United States, you know that the fluctuating hot and cold temperatures can wear on your home over time. Especially in Georgia, yearly temperatures can range from 95 degrees and humid in the summer to below freezing for most of the winter. These temperature changes impact the longevity of your roof. The high moisture levels and dramatically hot or cold weather weaken the seals between your shingles. This can cause roofing materials to break down quicker. This means your roof lifespan can be 5-10 years shorter than in other parts of the country. So, for a roof in Georgia, you can expect a new roof with architectural asphalt shingles to last 15-25 years.
Roof Maintenance
Roof maintenance is a vital part of increasing the lifespan of your roof. Without annual maintenance, especially in the fall and spring during the biggest temperature fluctuations, the durability of your asphalt shingles will weaken. After all, a routine maintenance check will catch early signs of an issue like curling shingles, pooling water, or corrupted seals. If these problems go unnoticed, they are likely to escalate into a larger issue down the road, shortening the lifespan of your roof. With annual roof maintenance handled by the Atlanta experts, especially after your roof hits the 10-year mark, you can increase the life of your roof by 5-10 years.
How Long Does a Roof Last in Georgia?
So the real question is this: Considering the three factors mentioned above, how long can you expect your new roof to last in Georgia? If you purchase quality architectural shingles and keep them maintained, your roof can last 25-30 years. Even in fickle Georgia weather, a well constructed and cared for roof can be reliable and durable long term. However, if you choose cheap asphalt shingles and don’t prioritize maintenance, you can get as few as 10 years from your roof.
Contact Us
Because Perimeter Roofing operates in Georgia, we are very familiar with the lifespan of roofing materials in this climate. That is why we only install architectural asphalt shingles and recommend annual roofing maintenance. If you are in need of roofing installation or repair in the North Georgia or Atlanta area, we are your local roofing experts. Contact us at the location closest to you for more information on how we can increase the lifespan of your roof.
